1970 GTO - 1st Time Pro Tour Build

[cwmiller]

Hey everyone, I'm Cameron Miller from Fort Worth, TX. I'm 24 and have been a muscle car enthusiast since I was a kid. I really enjoy all makes and models, but I really dig the Ponchos.

I've been lurking around the site for a while now and have been really interested in the pro touring scene for quite some time. I recently decided it was time to join and share my build. I appreciate any advice from anyone and really.. I'm going to need it since this is my first build by myself. I built a 69 GTO as a father son project through my jr high and high school years but this is the first build that I will be doing on my own. Anyway time for some pics!



First fix was the driver's side cowl. The car took a hit on the nose, the nose and fender were replaced and I didn't find this little surprise until the tear down.










I really wish I would have drilled some holes and plug welded the patch on, but it's on.

[cwmiller]

[cwmiller]

[cwmiller]

[cwmiller]

I got the driver's side inner wheel tub out tonight, tomorrow I should have it back plus two inches!! I'll post up some more pics of the mini tub soon!

[Roadbuster]

Looking good! Fixing a lot of rust when you are done you have a perfect car!

[NOT A TA]

Looks good Cameron! Have fun with the build.

[zipsimons]

So tell us the plans! Everyone loves to get an idea of the direction you're going.. Looking good though!

Zip

[cwmiller]

Thanks guys,

So tell us the plans! Everyone loves to get an idea of the direction you're going.. Looking good though!

Zip

Hey Zip, I'm planning to build an 6.0 lq9/T56 powered goat, narrowed frame, 345/30/19's on the rear, and four linked. I haven't gave the front suspension of the car much thought yet, I plan to get the rear sheetmetal work tied up then shave the firewall. Also, I haven't decided on the rear-end, but I'm thinking I might stick with GM instead of the popular Ford 9". I'm open to any suggestions/advice on the rear end!

As for wheels, I'm really digging the Rushforth Night Trains.

And for paint and interior I'm really liking the combonation of a dark champagne color(dark bronze/brownish color) with tan (camel/sandlewood) interior.

I was thinking about getting a rendering done... anyone have any advice on this? ballpark cost of a rendering?

[RicerwannaB]

It looks good, ill be following this as im still planning my GTO and always looking for new ideas.

[csouth]

Nice start. That drivetrain combo will be pretty stout. You may want to give Mark at SC&C a call regarding suspension advice. Great guy, but be prepared to listen and learn

[Later-A-body]

Looks like you've got the welding and fabrication skills down to a science. I like the color combination you posted. Maybe you could make it a Judge themed GTO? Suspension choices are endless for your car.I use all Global West components on my Grand Am. Andrew B on the site has a very cool '70 GTO build that you can get some ideas from.

[cwmiller]

Thanks for feedback guys. I didn't get a chance to head up to the shop today.. worked a little late. But I will be there tomorrow evening and hope to have some updates pics soon.

Later-A-body, Thanks man.. I checked out Andrew B's GTO a little while back and that thing is solid! Love the shaker hood, flawless way to change up the looks a little.

[andrewb70]

Thank you...Subscribing...Well done so far!

Andrew

[cwmiller]

Well I got into the driver's side wheel tub a few days ago and tonight I had a chance to get up to the shop and do a little work. I patched a rusted area where the trunk hinge support was spot welded to the inner tub. Then, I trimmed the lower portion of the inner tub to match the floor and the rear seat support to match the tub.

Here's a few pics... The tub isn't setting exactly how I imagined, so if any has had experience with tubbing an A body, please chime in.

















I used masking tape as a guide to to the cut with a die grinder. I decided to make a straight cut instead of trying to follow along the seam where the inner and outer wheelhouses meet.

[SRD art]

Looks like a great start!! You mentioned in your first post that this is your first p-t build and you were open to advice- Design it well, fab it right, and drive it like you stole it.

I'm doing my first p-t as well, a station wagon of all things, coming from a long background of drag racing Novas. I was pretty intimidated by a lot of the builds going on here and only observed and didn't post anything for a couple years. Only a few months ago when I really started working on the car I decided I didn't care if people thought my build was dumb or didn't stack up to the level of the other builds here and started a thread. I'm glad to see that this isn't a bunch of rich guys that put high dollar cars together to show off how fat their wallets are but rather a huge community of down to earth folks just like you and I, no matter how fat the wallet is, all of which are behind each other 100%. Now I'm stoked to try to hook up with a bunch of these guys at events when my car is done.

There are a lot of great artists out there to choose from. I have a bit of a biased opinion , but I think most if not all projects should have a rendering done. It costs a few bucks but in the long run it saves you money by avoiding costly visual mistakes. Plus it helps everyone else see your vision and it's a great "keep me motivated" piece. On occasion I've even had clients' wives say that the rendering is what helped get her support on board. You'd be surprised what a rendering can do when others are looking at "just an old junky car" in the garage. From what I've see, high quality renderings run in the neighborhood of $300-$700+ depending on the artist. Important thing to do is find someone that has a style and personality that jives with your tastes, are easy to work with and can understand or rather see your vision.

I do renderings and have several under the mouse for folks on the forum. I'd love the opportunity to give you a bid as well. Everything I do is digital from scratch, no photochopping to cut corners and because I'm digital I include revisions such as paint color or wheel changes in my pricing. PM me or email me at [email protected] if you'd like more info about my rendering packages.

Hope you have the same experience I have had here, and welcome aboard!

[cwmiller]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to post an update on the tubs and trunk floor. I've still got some more grinding and sanding to do, but the left tub is done. Also, I started working on the trunk floor... should get the left side and center section stitched up within the next few days. Let me know what ya think!





A pic of some of the cancer that has been cut out... not even close to amount that has been removed in total.

[65convertSSl79]

Great start! I am at the same point, with slower advancement

[cwmiller]

Thanks Mike,

Should finish up the trunk within the next few days... My Christmas presents are on order... under the rear seat pan and the floor patches I need. Those should ship in soon.

Ill post pics of the trunk when it's all buttoned up.

[zipsimons]

I really love your color plans! I was originally going to go with a saddle type color interior but my build has evolved so much from the initial plans now it's going to be red! lol... I guess that's how it goes. I think as far as your rear end goes, it really just depends on the use that you have planned for it. I really do not have much knowledge in that department but know enough that a 12 bolt with 3.73's will do just fine in mine